Methods for characterizing vaginal tissue elasticity

Abstract

Methods for characterizing elasticity of vaginal tissue are provided. A transvaginal probe is used to deform vaginal tissue during examination. The probe is equipped with pressure sensors and a motion tracking sensor. Stress and strain data is recorded during examination. Elasticity of vaginal tissue is then characterized by calculating a stress gradient defined as a ratio of stress over strain for each point of measurement. Vaginal tactile image may also be compiled to include a family of surfaces representing locations of measurement points at predefined constant levels of stress. Pelvic organ abnormality condition may be detected if the stress gradient is below either a predetermined threshold or a normal stress gradient obtained from clinical data.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE DATA[0001]This application claims a priority date benefit from the U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 239,087 filed 2 Sep. 2009 entitled “METHODS OF USING A VAGINAL TACTILE IMAGER FOR PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE CHARACTERIZATION, INCLUDING THAT AFTER A RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]This invention was made with the U.S. government support under SBIR grant No. AG034714 entitled “Vaginal Tactile Imager for Pelvic Floor Biomechanical Assessment” and awarded by the National Institute of Health, National Institute on Aging. The government has certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention generally relates to objective characterization methods for female pelvic tissues. Specifically, the invention describes methods for characterizing vaginal tissue elasticity and detection of a pelvic organ abnormality. For the purposes of this descriptio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides methods for objective characterizing of vaginal tissue elasticity using a transvaginal probe equipped with instruments to record tissue strain and stress data. The methods also allow for objective detection of pelvic organ abnormality by calculating elasticity measures and comparing them with predetermined thresholds or normal values obtained from clinical data. The invention also includes a method for detecting pelvic organ abnormality condition by comparing a calculated elasticity measure against a normal elasticity value obtained from clinical data collected from a number of patients. The invention also provides a method for composing a vaginal tactile image to graphically represent collected stress and strain data."

Problems solved by technology

As abnormality progresses, pelvic organs can become displaced and even protrude outside the vaginal canal.

Beyond the physical impact of POP, women with progressing pelvic organ abnormality score poorer on both generic and condition specific quality-of-life scales [Jelovsek J E, Barber M D. Women seeking treatment for advanced pelvic organ abnormality have decreased body image and quality of life.

While physical examination helps the clinician describe the extent of pelvic floor prolapse, it does not help in discerning the initial stage of abnormality development from the normal condition.

Digital palpation does not provide quantitative tissue characterization to compare with normal elasticity of vaginal walls.

It has poor sensitivity and is highly subjective.

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